A man accused of throwing rocks at California Highway Patrol vehicles on the 101 Freeway and later setting one of them on fire during anti-immigration enforcement protests more than a week ago faces both federal and state charges, authorities announced Tuesday, June 17.
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Adam Charles Palermo, 39, allegedly took to Facebook after the June 8 mayhem, posting several photos and videos, according to a poster presented during a press conference held by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli and members of the CHP and Los Angeles Police Department.
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“Of all the protests I’ve been involved in, which is well over a hundred now, I’m most proud of what I did today,” the post allegedly said.
Hochman said an anonymous tip from Crime Stoppers helped law enforcement identify, locate and arrest Palermo.
At the state level, Palermo was charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and single counts of arson and vandalism, Hochman said. He could face up to nine years and eight months in prison if convicted as charged.
At the federal level, Palermo faces one federal charge of attempted arson of a vehicle used in interstate or foreign commerce, Essayli said. He could face between five and 20 years in federal prison.
The District Attorney announced charges against four others also accused of inciting violence and destruction during protests that took place in the downtown Los Angeles area for more than a week.
“This group wanted to commit crimes,” Hochman said. “They looked at the protests as a cover, an opportunity.”
He said some of those protesting peacefully have actually helped identify some of the criminals.
Tuesday’s announcement of charges comes on the heels of the initial wave of cases related to the violence surrounding the protests, which were announced last week.
A 23-year-old Los Angeles man faces two felony counts of assault on a peace officer and two counts of using a destructive device, Hochman said, in relation to a June 8 incident near First and Spring streets where he allegedly threw fireworks at Los Angeles officers and firefighters after they were called to the area on a report of a dumpster on fire.
The man fled the scene following the attack, but was found 30 minutes later throwing more fireworks at LAPD officers on a skirmish line, Hochman said. Following his arrest, 20 individual M-1000 fireworks were found inside his backpack.
A 30-year-old Wilmington man faces one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one misdemeanor count of giving or receiving a large-capacity magazine after he was detained near Third and Spring streets for violating curfew about 12:30 a.m., June 11, Hochman said.
A 44-year-old Lynwood man was charged with discharging a laser at an aircraft after he was accused of doing so multiple times with a green laser during a protest in San Pedro on June 12, the DA said.
And a 39-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with one count of second-degree burglary after he was accused of being in a group of people who looted an Apple Store in the 800 block of South Broadway on June 9, Hochman said.
The DA again sent a warning to those who committed criminal activity that even though they may not be arrested at the time of the crime, authorities will work to identify suspects and arrest them.
Essayli, the U.S. Attorney, said since June 6, his office has filed charges against more than 20 people for violent conduct, obstructing enforcement operations or supporting acts of violence.
In one case, a man faces charges for allegedly handing out face shields to those who went on to commit violence, Essayli said. He was charged with conspiracy to commit a civil disorder and aiding and abetting in civil disorder, each charge carrying a statutory maximum of five years in federal prison.
Essayli announced charges against another man for allegedly spitting on a military service man and other federal police officers, Essayli said. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
“We are continuing our work to identify individuals who are engaged in violence,” Essayli said. “Their masks, their face shields will not save them. We will find them, we will go to their home and we will arrest them.”
During the week of protests, Los Angeles police officials have said they’ve made nearly 600 arrests, mostly for failing to disperse or curfew violations. Hochman Tuesday said those cases likely would go to the city attorney’s office for consideration.